And there's the matter of Jim Irsay staring the NFL in the face. The Indianapolis Colts owner is in a rehab facility, following his arrest last week when DUI charges were compounded by preliminary charges, four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.

"Fortunately, for him, maybe he'll get the help that he needs," Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told USA TODAY Sports. "People need help, and you have to reach a nadir to realize, 'Hey, I'm going to get help.'"

Ross, though, scoffs at the suggestion of testing owners and other non-players.

"We're not living in a police state," Ross said. "I don't think it's necessary. I think you look at people's actions. It's going to come out. You can only hide it for so much."

Irsay, 54, revealed in 2002 he had a dependency on painkillers, and in 2013 he tweeted, "I don't drink ... haven't in 15 years."

After his arrest, a person close to Irsay told The Indianapolis Star that ongoing concerns were so extensive a catastrophic event seemed inevitable. In recent years, Irsay has had a significant weight loss and appeared to be in severe pain.

The arrest put Irsay's issues on a public stage. His standing as an influential team owner - he's a member of three committees and chairman of the legislative committee - raises questions about how the NFL will treat one of its own for violating the personal conduct policy.

Irsay hasn't been formally charged but already has provided a blemish to the league's reputation.

Given the circumstances, Goodell should require that Irsay is evaluated by medical professionals as a condition of his discipline. Ongoing testing would send an even stronger message.

Owners were in no mood Monday to touch potential discipline for Irsay, but it is a concern.

Another team owner, the Cleveland Browns' Jimmy Haslam, is dealing with a serious legal issue with his truck stop conglomerate, Pilot Flying J, and while he has not been personally accused of active involvement in the fraud scheme, the issue has not been resolved.

When the owners met in Boston last May, Haslam was granted the floor by Goodell to address the Pilot Flying J situation.

Now another owner is confronting non-NFL issues.

Irsay has plenty of support as a respected member of the powerful fraternity, a theme that was expressed repeatedly.

"These things are a part of life," Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown told USA TODAY Sports. "Owners are part of life. They're no different than players. Our goal is to get him back up and running."

One of Irsay's three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, has assumed the ownership duties. She is attending the meetings and will represent her father in the exclusive sessions limited to owners.

Irsay's team is structured well to operate in his absence.

"Throw out the business side, throw out the football side," Colts coach Chuck Pagano told USA TODAY Sports. "This just comes down to family."

Irsay's support was strong and unwavering when Pagano missed the bulk of the 2012 season while receiving treatment for leukemia.

Pagano won his battle, and believes Irsay will, too.

"Jim's got an obstacle, a condition," Pagano said. "The position is, we're going to beat it, and be around for a long time for our families."